Disclaimer: We own none of the characters from Phantom of the Opera.
Chapter Fourteen
Christine worked incredibly hard in the kitchen, readying dinner as it was almost time for her husband to be home. Her lower back was nearly killing her, and she was happy she was in her last month of pregnancy. She smiled as she thought about being able to feel Erik's body on top of hers once again, and it made her long for him to come home soon. She sighed and lie in wait, slowly stirring the soup until she had the chance to pounce on her beloved husband.
Erik slipped into the house with a sigh of relief, the day had been long and bothersome, and he couldn't wait to relax with his wife. Hanging his cape and fedora, and moved toward the kitchen, calling out to Christine. "I'm home, my dear." He shouted as he moved toward the kitchen and pushed open the door.
Christine grinned evilly and turned, giving a great war cry as she hiked up her skirts and ran-waddled over to her husband, her hair fanning out around her as she jumped up into the air and soared to him. She wrapped her arms around him as she tackled him, landing on top of him on the ground. She grinned and snuggled into him. "Oh, I'm so happy to see you!"
Erik gave a muffled cry when Christine flew against his body, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly as she lay atop his body. "Mmmm, I've missed you too, Christine. I'm quite happy to see you." He purred, nibbling at her neck, then pressing his lips to hers. "How was your day..?"
"It was nothing without you. So lonely..." Christine sighed and lifted off his mask, setting it aside them on the sparkling floor she'd just cleaned, and kissing him wildly all over his face. She patted his chest and moved to get up to show him what she'd made for dinner. Struggling slightly, she finally managed to get to her knees, and she then used his forearm to stand the rest of the way. She pulled at his hand then. "Come, see what I've made."
Erik grinned, picking up his mask and setting it on the counter as he followed after his wife. Looking over her shoulder he put his hands on her sides as he looked at the soup. "This looks fantastic." He whispered into her ear, before nibbling at her jaw line. "But I think you look better..."
Christine turned with a devious smile, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you hungry?" She whispered against his jaw, pressing soft kisses against the side of his face.
Erik nodded, kissing her forehead and sliding his hand down her back to brush over her rear. "Mmm.... very hungry." He whispered seductively.
She hummed softly in delight and moved her lips to his neck, and began to push him back into the downstairs bedroom, right across the hall, usually used for guest purposes, though it would serve a greater purpose now.
Erik gave a tiny groan as his hands slid up to cup her breasts, then moved down to slide over her thighs as slipped one hand down to grasp the doorknob turning it quickly and stepping backwards inside.
Christine raised an eyebrow as she stared up at him, and then turned her back to him. "You know I can't undress myself..." She murmured, and as if to prove the point, tried to reach around to her back, and failing.
Erik grinned, swiftly unbuttoning her gown and sliding it off of her shoulders. His lips descended to kiss along her shoulder blade and to her neck. "Christine...."
Christine turned and kissed him deeply, and slid her hands down to feel him through his trousers. She smiled onto his lips, and then slipped her hands up to the button of his pants. Feeling the unpleasant itch of her chemise still on her, she reached down to her thighs to grasp it, but she stopped abruptly and her eyes went wide.
Erik lifted his head then, looking down at his wife with concern. "Christine...? Is something wrong?" He asked, rubbing a hand over her belly.
Her big eyes traveled down to where his hand was, and then down lower to where there was a small pool of water at her feet. "Oh my God," she whispered hoarsely. "Not now..."
Erik gasped then, and slowly began to back her up to the bed, helping her to lay down on the bed and looking around frettfully. "This is early..." He whispered, concern flooding through his body. Gently he stroked her hair from her forehead, kissing her lovingly, then running to the bathroom and fetching several towels. Coming back to the bedroom, his mind raced as he placd the towels beneath his wife, and rubbed her belly gently. "Oh God Christine... I need to fetch the midwife... what am I going to do...?" After a moment, he sat down next to her and held her hand. "I'm going to go just outside, and fetch a hansom, and send them to Jean Claude with a message to pick up the midwife..." He breathed, his face drawn and pale. "Do you need anything?"
Christine couldn't respond with words, but she shook her head and squeezed his forearm. She was scared. She'd been scared of this moment since she first learned of her pregnancy... She hoped the fear didn't show in her eyes, for she didn't need Erik fretting; she needed a tower of strength now.
Erik smiled softly then, kissing her once more. "It will be perfectly okay, my love." He whispered, before standing and rushing from the room.
Reaching the streets, he waved frantically until a hansom stopped. "Please, I need you to go to 1873 Flarney Lane... go to the door and tell the man to ride with you, tell him he needs to stop at the midwife on the way and bring her with, he'll know where she is. Tell him Christine is giving birth." He said, face white with fear and eyes wild.
The man nodded swiftly, called a quick �congratulations!�, and rode off toward Jean Claude's house.
Returning back inside, Erik ran to the kitchen and began to boil some water, knowing that the Midwife would require it at some point. Then he hurried back to Christine's side.
She breathed deeply, slowly, willing the pain she felt to go away. She grabbed Erik's hand and held it tightly, her eyes shining with so many emotions that she couldn't possibly control. She squeezed Erik's hand softly and asked, "Erik, will you please go fetch me that strip of ribbon that I keep on our night table?"
Erik frowned, unsure why she wanted it, but nodding all the same. "Of course, my dear." He whispered, standing and kissing her hand, then moving upstairs and to their room. Grabbing the ribbon, he moved back downstairs and took it into the guest room, handing it to his wife and stroking his fingers through her hair as he sat next to her on the bed.
Christine sat up as best she could and gathered all of her dark brown curls into her hand, and then slid the ribbon underneath and over it, and tied them back securely. She cried out as a rather powerful contraction struck her, her face contorting in pain. "Erik..." She whimpered, tears springing to her eyes.
Immediately concerned, Erik sat his wife up fully, then slid behind her on the bed, so she lay with her head against his shoulder. Gently he took her hands in his, squeezing them tightly and kissing her temple. "I'm here, Christine... just breathe... Jean Claude and the midwife should be here soon."
"Erik, I'm scared," she gasped, clutching his thigh as pain coursed through her. "I love you so much, Erik." A tear slipped from the corner of her eye and she squeezed her eyes shut against the sharp pains.
Jean Claude, following the sounds of his niece's voice, ran towards the guest room he'd stayed in only once before. He turned at the door upon spotting Erik and Christine, and gestured to the midwife behind him. "There she is," he murmured, and stepped back to allow the older lady in.
The older woman walked in and smiled brightly at Christine. "Hello, deary." She said, her voice very matronly. Gently she grasped Christine's legs, raising them to bend at the knee and spreading them apart. Hiking up her chemise a bit, she looked curiously between her legs, before prodding Christine a bit. "Hmm... You�re dilating properly... it will be a bit though... is this your first birth?"
Christine nodded, eyebrows raised high and eyes still wide, as they had been when she'd seen her water brake. She bit her lip to keep from screaming in pain, and leaned her head back against Erik's shoulder, pressing her head into it as her body shook slightly.
Erik smiled at the midwife, before rubbing Christine's arms and over her stomach. "Shh... My love, you must relax your body, don't tense up, it will only hurt more." He assured her, and the midwife nodded, agreeing.
"Yes, he is quite right. Relax and breathe through the contractions..."
Christine nodded and squeezed Erik's wrists as she began to take deep, slow breaths, her chest rising and falling with the effort. She closed her eyes and rested fully against her husband, almost all of the tension leaving her. She smiled slightly; she was ready to see her son. "How long?" She asked hoarsely.
The midwife smiled down at Christine in a motherly fashion, reaching between her legs again. "Hmm... not too long, now... almost there." She said, looking to Jean Claude then. "Monsieur, do you plan to stay for the birth?"
Jean Claude paled and nodded towards Christine. "You can... You can see... The baby... Through there?" He looked sick, even whiter than the phantom himself, and he took a step back from his niece. Having never had a child with his late wife, he was new to the whole situation.
The midwife smiled, "Not yet, monsieur... but soon. Christine has to dilate fully to nine inches first... then she can push the baby out." She said consolingly. "Are you sure you will be okay in here?"
Jean Claude looked to Christine's face, seeing it contort in pain, and he asked, "Dilate? She... The baby will come from... Down there?!"
The midwife tried her best not to laugh as she nodded. "Oui, monsieur...that it will." She said, her eyes twinkling as she looked to Erik, then back to Jean Claude. "Monsieur, I hate to be a bother, but I really must remain here. Could you fetch a bowl of cold water and some rags? Christine will need something cool on her face soon."
Jean Claude nodded and turned to leave. Christine gave an apologetic look to the midwife and shrieked as another contraction pierced her. She screwed her eyes shut and tried to breathe deeply. "Ow, Erik, it hurts so bad!"
Tears filled Erik's eyes from his concern, and he clutched more tightly to Christine... "I don't know what to do to help you, my dear..." He whispered, kissing her cheeks. "But I'm so proud of you..."
Christine opened her legs wider. "Please, get it out of me!" She pleaded to the midwife, eyes wide. "Please, please!" She squeezed Erik's hand with super human force.
The midwife laid a comforting hand to Christine's stomach. "Relax..." She said softly, her voice crooning. Carefully prodding her opening, she smiled. "It is time." She said softly, "Go ahead, Christine.. Try to push."
Christine growled deeply as she pushed, holding her breath and squeezing Erik's thighs tightly. Jean Claude entered the room then, and when he saw Christine, he blanched and fell back and onto the ground in a faint. Christine cried out in astonishment and unbelievable pain, but continued to push as hard as she could, her teeth clenched.
Erik frowned, stroking her back gently and sighing. "Christine... my dear..." He looked to Jean Claude and laughed.
The midwife chuckled, walking over to Jean Claude and boosting his legs on a pillow and hoping he would come to on his own. Looking to Christine, she sighed. "Good, Christine... very good..."
Christine cursed and nearly broke the bones in his knees she was clutching so hard. "What the hell are you laughing at?!" She screamed, and cursed again as she pushed. She stopped and tried to breathe, and then began again.
Erik winced, more at her words than at her grip, and softly kissed her forehead. "Christine... I was not laughing at you, my dear... but at Jean Claude. Shhh...."
Giving a great cry of anguish, Christine grabbed Erik's forearms and held them in a vice-like grip. She made whimpering sounds as she paused in her pushing, and then cried out through gritted teeth as she pushed with all her might.
Erik winced, knowing he would have bruises later, but he didn't care. "Christine... I'm so proud of you my dear..." He purred, kissing her cheek and temple. "Keep going, my love..."
Christine stopped and panted wildly. "I can't!" She cried, her head hanging. "I can't do it!" She slapped at Erik's legs. "You did this to me!" She squeezed his forearm and then bent her head low to bite it angrily. "Next time you're the one going to give birth and we'll see how you enjoy-- AHH!" She slumped back against Erik's chest as she pushed against the pain.
Erik winced, and pulled his arm away from her teeth, hissing in pain. "Argh, Christine... yell at me all you want but don't bite!" He said, giving his arm a shake and sighing.
The midwife smiled down at Christine, patting her knee. "Wonderful! I can see the head... don't stop now!"
At this time Jean Claude woke up, and at the midwife's words, he fainted once again. Christine cried out and squeezed Erik's upper thighs tightly as she gave her final push, crying out fiercely and shaking as she felt her baby pass through her.
Erik clutched tightly to Christine, shock on his face when he heard her cry. "Christine...?" He looked to the midwife with wide eyes.
Christine opened her arms as tears fell from her eyes, leaning forward in Erik's arms. "Let me hold my baby," she whispered softly.
The midwife smiled broadly, swiftly cutting the cord and grabbing one of the towels, beginning to wipe the baby off. She smiled then. "Here you are..." She said softly, handing the baby wrapped in the towel to Christine.
Erik peered over her shoulder in shock, eyes wide as he looked to the tiny baby. "Christine..? That's... that's our baby..." He breathed in shock.
Christine smiled and opened up the blanket to glance over her powerful son, and nearly dropped dead at the sight. "Um.." She handed the baby back to the midwife. "This isn't mine," she told her simply, shaking her head.
Erik frowned, as did the midwife. Erik's stomach dropped, trying to peer over her shoulder. "Is he... like me..?" He whispered in pain.
The midwife looked down at the baby. "What is it? What is wrong?"
Christine shook her head. "That child is a girl..." She whispered, "A beautiful baby girl. I was supposed to have a son." She looked down at her stomach. "Are you sure there's not another inside me?"
The midwife laughed deeply, handing the baby back to Christine. "No, just this one..." She teased, stroking the baby's forehead.
Erik's eyes remained wide as he gently pulled back the towel, looking down at the whimpering figure that nuzzled against Christine's chest, trying to find a meal. "A little girl... you aren't upset, are you my dear..?"
Christine took the fidgeting baby back into her arms and smiled slightly. She was caught up in the sight of her beautiful daughter, her bright, wide blue eyes looking up innocently at her mother. She turned her head to see Erik's eyes. "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, Erik." She stroked his mask. "She's gorgeous!" She looked proudly down at the infant, who seemed to be more interested in her surroundings than in crying. Christine bit her lip and looked up at the midwife. "How do I...?" She blushed, not knowing if there was a specific way in nursing the child.
The midwife smiled broadly then, reaching out and unbuttoning the front of Christine's chemise. "She knows what to do." And sure enough, the baby's face moved forward and her lips closed over Christine's breast, suckling eagerly.
Erik looked down and watched in wonder, stroking Christine's cheek and wiping tears from his eyes. "Christine... my love...."
She nuzzled Erik's cheek and sighed, lying her head down on his shoulder as she held her daughter. "I love you," she whispered, and closed her eyes in delight. "And I'm alive!" She said in wonderment and gratefulness.
Erik gave a gleeful laugh, grasping Christine's chin in his fingers and turning her head, claming her lips lovingly. "Yes." He said gently. "But what shall we name her..? We decided on names for a boy..."
Christine stroked his jaw line and grinned down at the child at her breast. "Well, what about Madeleine?" She raised her eyebrows, knowing the stories of Erik's mother, and remembering the night he had broke down and told her everything. She loved the name, and that night Erik seemed to finally be at peace with his mother, who had secretly loved him as much as he had loved her, according to Marie. She looked up hopefully into Erik's eyes.
Erik's eyes grew wide, and he sputtered slightly. "M-Madeleine..?" He whispered in shock, and he sighed. "If you would like... Oh Christine..." He whispered, tears filling his eyes.
Christine smiled and kissed his cheek. "Madeleine," she whispered, looking down at her lovely little girl. A girl, she thought, that I can dress up and teach to sing. She would've been happy with a son, but was immensely pleased that she had given birth to a daughter instead.
Chapter Fifteen